Part 10: link
Alined slinks up to the witness stand and is sworn in.
“So,” Leon begins, “Mr. Alined, আপনি have been in Memphis for nine years, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“And before that, আপনি were known as Herman Delaine of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Your honor, I সরানো for a recess,” Aggy stands and declares loudly.
“Reason?”
“I’m not prepared for this… new information.”
Judge Rodor taps his chin with his finger a moment, at least pretending to think about it. “No, I don’t think so. The fact that your client was not completely forthcoming with আপনি about his past is not this court’s problem. Proceed, Mr. Winters.”
Aggy sits, scowling.
“Now, Mr. Alined… Mr. Delaine… I’m sorry, I’m not exactly sure how I should address you,” Leon says, smirking. “We’ll go with ‘Alined’ for now, I think. Mr. Alined, we’ll get to the, um, details of your life in South Dakota momentarily, but first, will আপনি tell the court how it is that আপনি managed to convince Mr. Andersen and his mother to keep your little secret?”
Alined glances at Aggy, who looks completely lost. He shakes his head no very slightly, so Alined says nothing.
“Mr. Alined, আপনি are under oath. And if আপনি do not wish to share with us, I can simply call Mr. Andersen back to the stand and I’m sure he will be আরো than cooperative.”
“I bought their silence through threats and coercion,” Alined growls through clenched teeth. “I told them both that I would kill my sister if he opened his mouth. Then when she came beggin’ me for a job for her boy, it got much easier.”
“You threatened your own sister. Your only, helpless sister. Helpless after she took a little ‘spill’ down a flight of stairs, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Or was it less a ‘spill’ and আরো a ‘push,’ I wonder?”
“Objection!” Aggy yells. “He’s makin’ accusations!”
“I am stating facts, Mr. Boudreaux,” Leon says, reaching towards Arthur, who is handing him another file. “Exhibit… oh, hell, I’ve হারিয়ে গেছে count. Here,” he hands a large file to the judge now.
“Overruled, Mr. Boudreaux,” Rodor says, looking through the papers.
“Mr. Alined,” Leon continues. “Would আপনি be so good as to tell us exactly why আপনি needed to maim your sister and further threaten her life to keep her and her son’s silence?”
Alined’s face is beet-red and he doesn’t look inclined to say anything further. “Ask Baby Huey there,” he nods towards Percy.
Leon looks over at Percy, who is sitting surprisingly calmly behind Gwen and Arthur. He shrugs, as if to indicate that he expected as much.
“All right, then. আপনি may step down, Mr. Alined.”
“Bedivere,” Judge Rodor calls to the bailiff, “please escort Mr. Alined to his seat. We don’t want him thinking he can take a runner.”
“Your honor,” Arthur speaks up and stands, “we have made arrangements for Mr. Alined. Mr. Godwin?” He turns and addresses an older man in a suit who seems to materialize from the crowd.
“And who do we have here?” Judge Rodor asks.
“Mr. Keith Godwin and Mr. Robert Caerleon, FBI, your honor. They’ll be extraditing Mr. Alined, I mean, Mr. Delaine, back to South Dakota at the conclusion of this trial.”
Judge Rodor nods. Suddenly it’s looking like his job just got a whole lot easier.
Godwin walks up to Alined and slaps one half of a handcuff on one of his wrists. “Herman,” he says.
“Godwin,” Alined answers. “You’re looking older.”
“And you’re looking uglier,” Godwin snaps. “Grow the beard back; it covers up your face. Come on.” He hauls Alined back to his আসন beside Aggy, then the two FBI agents sit in two seats that seem to have magically appeared directly behind Alined.
Aggy will not even look at Alined.
“Mr. Andersen, if আপনি would be so kind,” Leon says. Percy stands and returns to the witness stand.
“Now, you’re still under oath,” Leon reminds him.
“Yes, sir, I know, sir.”
“Now, we have the details of what Mr. Alined did when he was still walkin’ around as Mr. Delaine, but would আপনি care to give us your version of it, Mr. Andersen?”
“Yes, sir. But first, I want to apologize.”
“Apologize?”
“For keeping my mouth closed for all this time. I know it wasn’t right, but when a man is threatening the only family আপনি have, and it’s your own mother, well, it makes it hard to stand up and do the right thing. And I also want to apologize to Miss Thompson. I… part of the reason I stepped up with the information about her father’s death is because I finally saw a way out for myself. I saw a way that I could get out from under Mr. Alined’s thumb. I used her misfortune to my advantage, and I feel ashamed for that.” He looks down at his hands a moment.
“Miss Thompson, would আপনি like to respond?” Judge Rodor asks.
Gwen looks at Arthur, who nods. She stands. “Percy, I cannot forgive আপনি because no wrong has been done. আপনি have no reason to feel ashamed. আপনি are helping me and my brother and several others as well. আপনি are doing a good, ব্রেভ deed and if আপনি benefit as well, then even better. A reward for a good deed done. I will be forever grateful to you, Percy. আপনি can hold your head high knowing that আপনি helped so many people today, including yourself.”
“Thank you, Gwen,” Percy says quietly. “You are truly an amazing woman. Tom would be very proud of you.”
Gwen smiles, wipes a few tears from her eyes, and sits. Under the table, Arthur’s hand creeps over and closes softly over hers for just a few moments, but it is enough.
“All right, then, proceed, Mr. Winters,” Judge Rodor waves his hand.
“Mr. Andersen, what can আপনি tell us about the events concerning Mr. Herman Delaine during the মাস of April 1954?”
“Mr. Delaine was a driver for Dr. Tristan DuBois of Sioux Falls. He was a surgeon, very well-respected. He’s retired now.”
“And how are আপনি connected to Dr. DuBois?”
“Indirectly. I was বন্ধু with his son, Lancelot, through my mother. She was Lance’s nanny, and she still looked after him even though he was too old to need a nanny anymore. Mrs. DuBois died with Lance was very young.”
“I see. Please continue.”
“Well, Dr. Dubois had a housekeeper, Mrs. Harris. She was colored, and she had a daughter, Ellie. Her daughter would also help out after school. She was a sweet girl, smart, very pretty. Mr. Delaine, well, he must have decided that he had to… have her, and…” Percy stops, taking a deep breath. “And he raped her. Then he killed her.”
There is a collective gasp from the courtroom. Aggy Boudreaux looks like he doesn’t want anything to do with Alined anymore.
“And how do আপনি know this information, Percy?” Leon asks quietly, once the murmuring has died down.
“Lancelot and my mother both saw it. Well, the end of it. And Delaine knew they saw him.”
“And what happened the পরবর্তি day?”
“Lancelot took his car to go to school, and he had a fatal car accident. His brakes failed. Brakes on his brand new car. He was only seventeen.”
Gwen is crying openly now, as are several others in the courtroom.
“And your mother?”
“Well, it’s like আপনি said. She took a rather mysterious fall down a marble staircase in Dr. DuBois’ house. She hurt her hip badly. Still walks with a limp. And there was brain damage as well. Her memory is… bad. She remembers things she’s always known. Like she knows who I am when I call, but she’ll forget to do simple things like eat and ঝরনা and change clothes.”
“And that’s why a friend looks in on her, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And to keep your silence, Mr. Delaine threatened further harm on your mother?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then what happened?”
“He left. We thought we were free of him, but then he called two months later. He told us that he wanted us to know that he was still alive and that he was thriving, in fact. Bragged about having his own company.”
“That seems rather foolish,” Leon comments.
“Well, Mr. Delaine may be a lot of things, but intelligent really isn’t one of them,” Percy says, and many in the courtroom laugh.
“So he told আপনি where he was?”
“Yes. He ব্যক্ত he wanted us to know so we wouldn’t be tempted to squeal on him. He thought that if we knew where he was then we would be too afraid to turn him in because he could still get to us. Thinking back, and now that I say it out loud, it sounds really stupid.”
Leon chuckles at this. “And how did আপনি land in the army with a mother that needed care?”
“I was drafted. I could have applied for a hardship exception, but my mom told me to go. She ব্যক্ত that Sharon would look after her – that’s our family friend, Sharon – and that she would be fine. She ব্যক্ত that my duty to the country was আরো important than my duty to her. But then I got injured and was back sooner than either of us expected.”
“And, as we already discussed, আপনি were unable to find a job.”
“Yes, sir. And that was the first fight I ever had with my mom. She wanted to call Delaine and have him give me a job. I refused. She pleaded with me. Have আপনি ever seen your mother cry, Mr. Winters?”
“Yes,” Leon says softly.
“So then আপনি know that it is something আপনি want to stop as soon as আপনি can. I relented, for her. Because I need to take care of her. I swallowed my pride and took the job, Delaine further secured my silence, and I was pressed further under his thumb.”
“And did the threats stop, then?”
“No. He’d slip them in, casual as আপনি please, whenever he talked to me. I tried to avoid talking to him.”
“I don’t blame you,” Leon says. “I think that’s enough, don’t you, your honor?”
Judge Rodor, who has been listening like he wishes he had a bucket of popcorn, nods and looks at Aggy.
“Mr. Boudreaux?”
“I have no questions, your honor.” Aggy looks like he’s been on a steady diet of lemons and sardines.
“I thought not. Thank আপনি again, Mr. Andersen.” Rodor flips through the reports on his desk, then he glances at the clock. “All right, this has been one hell of a morning. I’m tired and I’m hungry. Recess for lunch. We will reconvene in an ঘন্টা and a half. Bedivere, please প্রদর্শনী Mr… Godwin and Mr. Caerleon where the holding cells are and put Mr. Alined in there for safekeeping.” He bangs his gavel.
xXx
Arthur, Leon, Gwen, Elyan, Merlin, and Gwaine are walking back into the courthouse after grabbing a quick bite to eat at Gwaine’s – the only place that all of them could dine together – and they are intercepted দ্বারা Aggy Boudreaux.
“Winters. Pendragon. A word, please?” He motions to a small conference room.
“Sure,” Leon nods.
“Miss Thompson also, please.”
Arthur ushers Gwen inside. Elyan looks on, a little concerned, a little forlorn.
“I’d like Elyan to come in, too,” she says.
“Of course,” Arthur says.
“We’ll just sit out here, then,” Merlin calls, smirking.
“You do that,” Arthur answers.
They all sit at a long mahogany টেবিল and stare at Aggy until he speaks.
“My client would like to settle,” he declares.
Leon passes Arthur two dollars.
“What was that?”
“I won the bet,” Arthur says. “I knew he’d cave. অথবা you. Leon thought he’d fight to the তিক্ত end.”
“Well, truth be told, Alined doesn’t exactly want to settle. But I’m not really giving him a choice.”
Arthur looks at Gwen, who looks a bit overwhelmed, squeezing her brother’s hand.
“One moment,” Arthur says to Aggy. He bends and reaches into his ব্রিফকেস and withdraws a folder. He opens it and shows the contents to Guinevere and Elyan, who read it carefully. Gwen nods and hands it back to Arthur.
“We have conditions,” Arthur passes the folder to Aggy.
Aggy takes the folder. “Of course.”
“Arthur, what…?” Leon whispers.
“I told আপনি I was confident he would settle after we exposed him.”
Aggy reads the তালিকা Arthur has presented him. “…all of it?” he finally exclaims. “Everything?”
“Well, he ain’t gonna be needin’ that money where he’s goin’,” Arthur says, leaning back in his chair. “And that includes the Swiss account that he doesn’t think we know about.”
“So we’re to liquidate all of his accounts and বিভক্ত করা the funds between the ten people on those accident reports who were injured as a result of faulty machinery, plus Ezra Johnson,” he sighs.
“And a larger portion for Miss Thompson and her brother,” Arthur adds, pointing to a line on the sheet.
“Arthur…”
“Shh,” he shushes her gently.
“Percy Andersen? আপনি sure about that?” he asks, tapping the পরবর্তি point.
“Yes. Duncan Matthews will be promoted to warehouse manager then. And Mr. Aredian has offered to recommend a couple of maintenance men to be brought on. As permanent employees.”
“Mr. Aredian isn’t interested himself?” Gwen asks.
“Oh good Lord, no,” Arthur chuckles. “That would not work out well for anyone involved. He’s much too independent.”
“Not to mention scary as hell,” Elyan chimes in.
“That, too. Leon, would আপনি check to see if Percy’s outside, please?”
Leon nods and goes to the door. He opens it and pokes his head out. A moment later he returns, Percy in tow.
“You wished to see me?”
“Yes. Alined wants to settle,” Arthur says.
“Okay…?” Percy sits at the table.
“One of the conditions we have for the settlement concerns you, Percy.”
His brow furrows a moment. “It does?”
“We’d like আপনি to take ownership of Alined Paper. আপনি can, of course, change the name to whatever you’d like,” Arthur says. He glances at Aggy, who is still perusing the sheet Arthur gave him, making notes on it now.
“Me? But I don’t know…”
“It’s not anything আপনি can’t handle, Percy. We’ve seen your records, both from school and from the Army. আপনি say you’re built for manual labor, but you’ve undersold your intelligence.” Arthur looks at him, raising his eyebrows.
“I’d be willin’ to bet he’s smarter than his dumb-ass uncle,” Aggy mutters. “Oh, beg pardon, miss.”
Gwen giggles behind her hand while the others stare at Aggy, shocked that he’d say such a thing about his longtime client.
Of course, he’s probably anxious to wash his hands of him as soon as possible, Arthur realizes.
“But I don’t know anything about running a business,” Percy says.
Leon hands him a card. “I actually specialize in business law,” he says. “I’ll help আপনি out. It’ll be real easy, I promise.”
Percy takes the card. “You are my new best friend, then,” he chuckles. “Thank you.”
Aggy turns to the সেকেন্ড page of Arthur’s file. “Today? আপনি want all these accounts liquidated and dispersed today?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Arthur says. “It’s only… 1:15. Leon will take আপনি back to the office and আপনি can meet with Geoffrey and he’ll get everything sorted. He’s got everything ready for you.”
“Well, আপনি sure got your ducks all nice and lined up, don’t you, Pendragon?” Aggy says, actually smiling a little.
“Guinevere don’t call me ‘Superman’ for nothin’, আপনি know.” Arthur leans confidently back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head.
Aggy rolls his eyes. So does Gwen.
“All right, the sooner this is over with, the sooner I can get on the golf course,” Aggy says, standing. “I’ll meet আপনি back here in ten minutes, Winters. I have to go bid farewell to Mr. Herman Delaine. Let him know that he is now the property of those two nice men from the FBI.”
After he leaves, Gwen turns to Arthur. “Arthur, we don’t need that much money!”
“Shush, Gwen,” Elyan tries, and she waves him off.
“We can have the same amount as all them other families. বিভক্ত করা it evenly between all of us.”
“Guinevere, it’s standard settlement protocol. Those others were just injured. Your father was killed. Death always warrants a bigger reward than injury.”
“He’s right, Gwen,” Leon adds. “Just how it is.”
“We could use the money, Gwen. And the others will still be gettin’ plenty, right?” Elyan asks, looking back and forth between Leon and Arthur.
“Life-changing money, most likely,” Arthur confirms. “Alined had stashes of cash squirreled away all over the place, and we found all of it. Geoffrey must have magic powers.”
“And the company funds will be untouched, so the transition will be smooth,” Leon tells Percy.
Percy nods, still apparently in shocked. “Who’s going to be warehouse manager now?” he asks.
“Duncan will,” Gwen tells him. She reaches across the টেবিল and places her hand over his. “Percy, you’ll be great. Daddy always spoke well of you. ব্যক্ত how smart আপনি were, how আপনি actually cared about what was goin’ on there. That’s the kind of person আপনি want to be the big boss.”
“Thank you, Gwen. Your father always spoke well of you, too. Both of you,” he says, nodding at Elyan now. “You need a job, Elyan?” he asks suddenly.
“Nah, I’m a carpenter, man, I don’t need to be workin’ in no factory,” Elyan chuckles.
“Thought I’d offer, since I’m suddenly now in charge of a company,” Percy says, smiling finally. “What do আপনি think of ‘Andersen Paper?’” he asks.
“I like it,” Gwen says, grinning back at him. “So what happens now?” she asks.
“Now,” Leon stands, “I’m going to wait for Mr. Agravaine Boudreaux and escort his chunky backside back to Pendragon Law. Y’all can meet me back there later and I’ll start givin’ out checks.”
“And then, tonight, we all meet up at Gwaine’s and celebrate, all proper-like,” Arthur says, standing as well. The rest follow suit and file out of the room into the hallway.
“So?” Merlin leaps on them immediately. “I’ve been dying out here.”
“He has. Irish boy could not sit still,” Gwaine confirms.
“Settling, as I predicted,” Arthur says smugly.
“You are thoroughly enjoyin’ this, Arthur,” Gwen comments, laughing.
“Of course I am. I was right. What’s not to enjoy?” he asks, his eyes twinkling at her in that way they do when he’s thinking of things that he really has no business thinking of. “Gwaine, we’re all gonna be descendin’ on your place tonight, too.”
“I would expect nothin’ less,” Gwaine nods. Then he winks at Gwen, earning him the briefest glare from Arthur. He just chuckles.
Aggy returns now, accompanied দ্বারা one of the FBI agents. “All right, let’s go.”
“Mr. Pendragon,” the agent stops as Aggy and Leon continue out the door.
“Yes?”
“Thank you. Godwin’s been on this case for nine years. He’s very happy to be able to put him away.”
“No problem. আপনি should be thanking Percy here, not me, though.”
“Ah, Mr. Andersen,” Agent Caerleon turns, looking up at him. “We’ve had cars driving past your mother’s house at regular intervals. I don’t think Delaine has any accomplices in the area, not that he would have had the opportunity to dispatch any of them if he did. Your mom is perfectly safe, son.”
“Thank you, Mr…”
“Caerleon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Caerleon.”
“Mr. Pendragon, there is a reward…” he starts.
“Give it to Percy,” Arthur উত্তর immediately.
Gwen smiles. Percy gawks. “Th-thanks…”
“You deserve it. Get your mom something nice.”
“Maybe I’ll see if she wants to সরানো down here…” he muses.
“Oh, Pendragon,” Caerleon says just as he is about to return to the holding cells below.
“Hmm?”
“Tell your father I ব্যক্ত hello.”
“You know my pop?”
“Went to Harvard together,” he nods, smiling a little mischievously, as though remembering some not-fit-for-mixed-company story.
“I’ll tell him,” Arthur says, watching the agent saunter away under puzzled brows.
xXx
“Arthur, it’s her party, she’ll be here,” Merlin mutters in Arthur’s ear as he walks past. Arthur keeps glancing at the door.
“She ব্যক্ত she was coming, but what if she changes her mind?” Arthur asks.
“You have got it bad,” Merlin comments. “She’ll be here.” He leans in closer. “And try to be a little less obvious, Arthur. Remember she’s the one that would be punished if you’re found out.”
Arthur slumps. “I know. It’s hard, though. I told her that. I don’t even realize I’m doin’ it, most of the time.”
“I just don’t want to see either of আপনি hurt অথবা in trouble with the law, mate. And she just walked in with Elyan and Latoya.”
“Latoya?” Arthur turns.
“Elyan’s new ladyfriend. They’ve been talkin’ to each other for a little while now, looks like he finally decided to introduce her to Gwen.”
“Ah. Guinevere,” he says, smiling at her as she approaches.
“See? Like that. আপনি could light up a bloody room right now.” He looks at Gwen now. “Hi, Gwen.”
“Hey, Merlin. Hello, Arthur,” she says.
“I gotta go play,” Merlin says, waving. “She’s just as bad,” he mumbles to himself as he wanders away.
“Hey Elyan,” Arthur says.
“Arthur,” Elyan nods. “This is my girl, Latoya,” he introduces the young lady at his side. She is tall, nearly as tall as Elyan.
“Nice to meet you, Latoya,” Arthur offers his hand.
After a moment, she takes it, shaking it quickly. “Hello,” she says. “Sorry, I’m not used to pretty white men wantin’ to shake my hand.”
“Quite all right,” Arthur says. “I’m a little unusual.”
“I’ll say,” Gwaine says, setting a tall glass of সরবৎ on the bar for Gwen and a bottle of Budweiser for Elyan. “Toya, what would আপনি like, darlin’?”
“I’ll have one o’ them bottles,” she says, nodding towards Elyan’s beer.
Gwaine nabs Elyan’s bottle before Elyan can get it and passes it to her, setting a glass beside it as well. “Here আপনি are. Elyan, ladies first, আপনি know that.” He returns a moment later with another bottle for him.
“Let’s get a table,” Arthur says, hopping down from his barstool.
Percy arrives a short time later, followed closely দ্বারা Duncan and his wife, Mary. Gwen hugs them both warmly, and Mary immediately starts crying.
“Now, Mary, don’t আপনি cry, অথবা I’ll start,” Gwen says, patting her hand.
“Thank আপনি so much, Gwen,” Mary says.
“I didn’t do nothin’, Mary. It’s me that should be thankin’ Duncan.” With that, she leans over and kisses Duncan on the cheek. “Thank you, Duncan. I know you’ll be a great manager.”
“Thanks, Gwen. You’re Daddy’s smilin’ down on আপনি today.”
Ezra stops in briefly, but doesn’t stay long. Arthur makes sure that he has the psychiatrist’s phone number and reminds him to call right away on Monday. Duncan even offers to let him use the warehouse office phone to call.
“If that’s all right with you, Boss,” he looks at Percy.
“Perfectly fine. We want Ezra better, right?” Percy answers.
They listen to Merlin, Aaron, and ফ্রেড play. Gwaine brings out tray after tray of food. Some people dance. Percy taps his fingers on the টেবিল in time to the music.
“Is it hard? Not havin’ part of a leg?” Gwen asks him.
“I’m used to it now,” he shrugs.
“Wishin’ আপনি could dance, though?”
He laughs. “I couldn’t much dance with two whole legs. But I like music.”
Arthur has been chatting with everyone, but always keeping one eye on Gwen. He scoots his chair back over to their table. “Bet আপনি can hop pretty good,” he says, grinning.
“Arthur!” Gwen gasps, shocked.
Percy laughs though. “I am a world-champion hopper,” he says. “It’s all right, Gwen, I honestly wish আরো people would ask প্রশ্ন and even make jokes like Arthur just did. Beats getting stared at. I get that enough, being my size.”
“I suppose আপনি have a point. I suppose আপনি get people judgin’ আপনি based on your looks, same as we do.”
“Yeah. Everyone always assumes I’m stupid অথবা violent.”
“And you’re neither of those,” Arthur adds.
“Thank you. Like I said, I like music. Can’t sing, can’t play an instrument, but I like it. And I am bound and determined to learn how to make a proper southern বিসকুট if it kills me,” he laughs.
“Well, I can help আপনি out with that,” Gwen says. “I’ll share my granny’s recipe with you, if আপনি ask real nice,” she leans in and says in a conspiratorial whisper.
“What are y’all whisperin’ about?” Elyan asks, coming over with Latoya on his arm.
“Biscuits,” Gwen declares.
“Of course,” Elyan shrugs. “Gwen,” he pokes his sister on the shoulder, “you should go sing.”
“What?” Gwen asks.
“Sing?” Arthur asks.
“Gwen can sho’nuff sing,” Elyan says.
“You’ve had too many beers already, Elyan,” Gwen shrugs him off.
“I’d প্রণয় to hear আপনি sing,” Arthur says quietly, smiling at her.
“See? Even Mr. Charlie wants to hear আপনি sing!” Elyan exclaims.
“Elyan!” Both Gwen and Latoya yell now, but Arthur can only laugh.
“Please?” Elyan asks. “For Daddy?”
“Please?” Arthur asks quietly. “For me?”
“Well, shoot, now আপনি done trapped me,” Gwen sighs and gets up. “Don’t start throwin’ fruit, now,” she threatens before she walks away from them, up to the corner that acts as a stage.
“Hey, Gwen,” Merlin says, looking up briefly from the piano, not missing a note.
“I’m supposed to come sing with y’all,” she says. She waves at Aaron and Fred, who both nod.
“Next song. Think about what আপনি want to sing.”
“I only know church songs,” she says, biting her lip.
“We can work with that,” Merlin says.
“Merlin’s got some ears on him, and I ain’t just talkin’ ’bout they size,” ফ্রেড says.
Merlin laughs, and Gwen hides her smile, looking away from him.
“Okay,” Merlin declares when the song finishes. “What do আপনি have for me?”
“Do আপনি know ‘Ain’t-a That Good News?’”
“I do,” Aaron and ফ্রেড both answer.
“Well I know y’all know it,” Gwen says, her hands on her hips. “We just sang it yesterday, that’s why it’s fresh in my mind.”
“Start singin’, Gwen, I’ll catch on. Gospel?”
“O’ course,” she says. Then she sighs and turns toward the rest of the bar. They’re all looking. Just pretend it’s a really dirty church.
“Waitin’, Gwen…” Aaron cajoles from behind her.
“Hush, you!” she turns and waves her hand at him. When she looks back, her eyes meet Arthur’s for a moment, and his expectant look both scares her and gives her confidence. All right, Superman, here goes.
“I got a crown up in-a that kingdom, ain’t-a that good news…” she starts singing, slowly at first. ফ্রেড joins in first, then Aaron with a light drum beat. After the first verse is half done, Merlin’s got it and he joins in.
“Daddy used to say that Gwen’s singin’ could make the birds hang they heads in shame,” Elyan says to Arthur.
Arthur just nods in agreement, watching her sing. Don’t be so obvious. Merlin’s উপদেশ comes back to him. “She has a very good voice, yes,” he finally says. She sounds like an angel.
She finishes, and everyone applauds and cheers loudly.
“More!” Elyan shouts.
Gwen rolls her eyes at her brother and starts to go back to her seat. “Get back here, Gwen,” Merlin grabs her arm, grinning at her. “You heard your brother, he wants one more.”
“Fine,” she sighs. “I thought of another one. ‘You Belong to Me’ work for you?”
“Ooo, a newer one,” Merlin says, cracking his knuckles theatrically, then launches into an introduction.
I thought of another one looking at Arthur, Gwen realizes. She closes her eyes a moment to try and clear her head. I hope I can remember the words.
“See the pyramids along the Nile. Watch the sunrise from a tropic isle. Just remember, darling, all the while আপনি belong to me…”
She opens her eyes and braves a look at Arthur. Not a good idea, she realizes, and quickly drops her eyes and concentrates on গান গাওয়া instead.
“You have a beautiful voice, Guinevere,” Arthur says when she finally returns. He is alone at the টেবিল for the moment.
“Thank you,” she says, reaching for her lemonade.
“It goes with the rest—”
“Don’t.”
“Right.”
“It’s getting late,” she says. “I’d like to go to work tomorrow, but I have too much to do now.”
“Got a big check to deposit,” Arthur says.
“And one to write. I have to pay আপনি still.”
“You’ll get a bill later, আপনি don’t have to pay right now,” Arthur says, waving his hand dismissively. “If it was up to me I still wouldn’t charge you, but I think Pop might frown on that.”
“So would I,” she says. “Thank you, Arthur.” She puts her hand on his, just briefly, and moves to stand. She looks around for Elyan. “Where is he? Ah. Elyan!”
He comes over. “What?”
“I’m ready to go home.”
“I ain’t.”
“Well, take me প্রথমপাতা and then আপনি can come back.” She peers at him. “On সেকেন্ড thought, give me the car keys. আপনি ain’t fit to drive.”
“How’m I gon’ get home?” he asks.
“You can walk. Keys.” Gwen holds out her hand and Elyan fishes into his pocket and hands them to her. “Toya, keep an eye on him,” she tells Latoya.
“I will. Goodnight, Gwen,” Latoya says.
Gwen says her goodbyes around, and when she gets to the door, Arthur is waiting for her.
“Arthur…”
“I’m just going to walk আপনি to your car,” he says.
“All right.”
He opens the door for her and they walk out into the cool October night, walking silently until they reach the large green Impala.
“Thank আপনি again, Arthur, for everything,” she says. Why is my হৃদয় pounding like this? I should be happy because we won, but I feel so forlorn. Now that I have no reason to, I may never see him again.
“It was a pleasure. আপনি are very welcome, Guinevere.” He pauses a moment. “I told আপনি that this is what I do.”
“Yes, Superman, আপনি did.”
Arthur’s arms remember the shape of her, how she felt wrapped in his embrace. They long to reach out for her and pull her against him.
“Goodnight, Guinevere. It really was a pleasure,” Arthur finally says.
Gwen sees his fingers twitching at his sides. She looks up and down the street. A car drives past, but it turns the corner, and they are left alone. She bites her lower lip and takes a step closer to him. One hug. That’s all. As she reaches out with one hand, he finally breaks and pulls her into his arms, sighing heavily.
Gwen hugs him back this time, her hands on his broad back. She thinks she feels him চুম্বন the শীর্ষ of her head, but she’s not sure.
“Okay,” she says, gently stepping back now. “Goodnight,” she says and then hurries around to the driver’s side of the car, gets in, and drives away while he stands there, watching her go.
Part 12: link
Alined slinks up to the witness stand and is sworn in.
“So,” Leon begins, “Mr. Alined, আপনি have been in Memphis for nine years, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“And before that, আপনি were known as Herman Delaine of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Your honor, I সরানো for a recess,” Aggy stands and declares loudly.
“Reason?”
“I’m not prepared for this… new information.”
Judge Rodor taps his chin with his finger a moment, at least pretending to think about it. “No, I don’t think so. The fact that your client was not completely forthcoming with আপনি about his past is not this court’s problem. Proceed, Mr. Winters.”
Aggy sits, scowling.
“Now, Mr. Alined… Mr. Delaine… I’m sorry, I’m not exactly sure how I should address you,” Leon says, smirking. “We’ll go with ‘Alined’ for now, I think. Mr. Alined, we’ll get to the, um, details of your life in South Dakota momentarily, but first, will আপনি tell the court how it is that আপনি managed to convince Mr. Andersen and his mother to keep your little secret?”
Alined glances at Aggy, who looks completely lost. He shakes his head no very slightly, so Alined says nothing.
“Mr. Alined, আপনি are under oath. And if আপনি do not wish to share with us, I can simply call Mr. Andersen back to the stand and I’m sure he will be আরো than cooperative.”
“I bought their silence through threats and coercion,” Alined growls through clenched teeth. “I told them both that I would kill my sister if he opened his mouth. Then when she came beggin’ me for a job for her boy, it got much easier.”
“You threatened your own sister. Your only, helpless sister. Helpless after she took a little ‘spill’ down a flight of stairs, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Or was it less a ‘spill’ and আরো a ‘push,’ I wonder?”
“Objection!” Aggy yells. “He’s makin’ accusations!”
“I am stating facts, Mr. Boudreaux,” Leon says, reaching towards Arthur, who is handing him another file. “Exhibit… oh, hell, I’ve হারিয়ে গেছে count. Here,” he hands a large file to the judge now.
“Overruled, Mr. Boudreaux,” Rodor says, looking through the papers.
“Mr. Alined,” Leon continues. “Would আপনি be so good as to tell us exactly why আপনি needed to maim your sister and further threaten her life to keep her and her son’s silence?”
Alined’s face is beet-red and he doesn’t look inclined to say anything further. “Ask Baby Huey there,” he nods towards Percy.
Leon looks over at Percy, who is sitting surprisingly calmly behind Gwen and Arthur. He shrugs, as if to indicate that he expected as much.
“All right, then. আপনি may step down, Mr. Alined.”
“Bedivere,” Judge Rodor calls to the bailiff, “please escort Mr. Alined to his seat. We don’t want him thinking he can take a runner.”
“Your honor,” Arthur speaks up and stands, “we have made arrangements for Mr. Alined. Mr. Godwin?” He turns and addresses an older man in a suit who seems to materialize from the crowd.
“And who do we have here?” Judge Rodor asks.
“Mr. Keith Godwin and Mr. Robert Caerleon, FBI, your honor. They’ll be extraditing Mr. Alined, I mean, Mr. Delaine, back to South Dakota at the conclusion of this trial.”
Judge Rodor nods. Suddenly it’s looking like his job just got a whole lot easier.
Godwin walks up to Alined and slaps one half of a handcuff on one of his wrists. “Herman,” he says.
“Godwin,” Alined answers. “You’re looking older.”
“And you’re looking uglier,” Godwin snaps. “Grow the beard back; it covers up your face. Come on.” He hauls Alined back to his আসন beside Aggy, then the two FBI agents sit in two seats that seem to have magically appeared directly behind Alined.
Aggy will not even look at Alined.
“Mr. Andersen, if আপনি would be so kind,” Leon says. Percy stands and returns to the witness stand.
“Now, you’re still under oath,” Leon reminds him.
“Yes, sir, I know, sir.”
“Now, we have the details of what Mr. Alined did when he was still walkin’ around as Mr. Delaine, but would আপনি care to give us your version of it, Mr. Andersen?”
“Yes, sir. But first, I want to apologize.”
“Apologize?”
“For keeping my mouth closed for all this time. I know it wasn’t right, but when a man is threatening the only family আপনি have, and it’s your own mother, well, it makes it hard to stand up and do the right thing. And I also want to apologize to Miss Thompson. I… part of the reason I stepped up with the information about her father’s death is because I finally saw a way out for myself. I saw a way that I could get out from under Mr. Alined’s thumb. I used her misfortune to my advantage, and I feel ashamed for that.” He looks down at his hands a moment.
“Miss Thompson, would আপনি like to respond?” Judge Rodor asks.
Gwen looks at Arthur, who nods. She stands. “Percy, I cannot forgive আপনি because no wrong has been done. আপনি have no reason to feel ashamed. আপনি are helping me and my brother and several others as well. আপনি are doing a good, ব্রেভ deed and if আপনি benefit as well, then even better. A reward for a good deed done. I will be forever grateful to you, Percy. আপনি can hold your head high knowing that আপনি helped so many people today, including yourself.”
“Thank you, Gwen,” Percy says quietly. “You are truly an amazing woman. Tom would be very proud of you.”
Gwen smiles, wipes a few tears from her eyes, and sits. Under the table, Arthur’s hand creeps over and closes softly over hers for just a few moments, but it is enough.
“All right, then, proceed, Mr. Winters,” Judge Rodor waves his hand.
“Mr. Andersen, what can আপনি tell us about the events concerning Mr. Herman Delaine during the মাস of April 1954?”
“Mr. Delaine was a driver for Dr. Tristan DuBois of Sioux Falls. He was a surgeon, very well-respected. He’s retired now.”
“And how are আপনি connected to Dr. DuBois?”
“Indirectly. I was বন্ধু with his son, Lancelot, through my mother. She was Lance’s nanny, and she still looked after him even though he was too old to need a nanny anymore. Mrs. DuBois died with Lance was very young.”
“I see. Please continue.”
“Well, Dr. Dubois had a housekeeper, Mrs. Harris. She was colored, and she had a daughter, Ellie. Her daughter would also help out after school. She was a sweet girl, smart, very pretty. Mr. Delaine, well, he must have decided that he had to… have her, and…” Percy stops, taking a deep breath. “And he raped her. Then he killed her.”
There is a collective gasp from the courtroom. Aggy Boudreaux looks like he doesn’t want anything to do with Alined anymore.
“And how do আপনি know this information, Percy?” Leon asks quietly, once the murmuring has died down.
“Lancelot and my mother both saw it. Well, the end of it. And Delaine knew they saw him.”
“And what happened the পরবর্তি day?”
“Lancelot took his car to go to school, and he had a fatal car accident. His brakes failed. Brakes on his brand new car. He was only seventeen.”
Gwen is crying openly now, as are several others in the courtroom.
“And your mother?”
“Well, it’s like আপনি said. She took a rather mysterious fall down a marble staircase in Dr. DuBois’ house. She hurt her hip badly. Still walks with a limp. And there was brain damage as well. Her memory is… bad. She remembers things she’s always known. Like she knows who I am when I call, but she’ll forget to do simple things like eat and ঝরনা and change clothes.”
“And that’s why a friend looks in on her, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And to keep your silence, Mr. Delaine threatened further harm on your mother?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then what happened?”
“He left. We thought we were free of him, but then he called two months later. He told us that he wanted us to know that he was still alive and that he was thriving, in fact. Bragged about having his own company.”
“That seems rather foolish,” Leon comments.
“Well, Mr. Delaine may be a lot of things, but intelligent really isn’t one of them,” Percy says, and many in the courtroom laugh.
“So he told আপনি where he was?”
“Yes. He ব্যক্ত he wanted us to know so we wouldn’t be tempted to squeal on him. He thought that if we knew where he was then we would be too afraid to turn him in because he could still get to us. Thinking back, and now that I say it out loud, it sounds really stupid.”
Leon chuckles at this. “And how did আপনি land in the army with a mother that needed care?”
“I was drafted. I could have applied for a hardship exception, but my mom told me to go. She ব্যক্ত that Sharon would look after her – that’s our family friend, Sharon – and that she would be fine. She ব্যক্ত that my duty to the country was আরো important than my duty to her. But then I got injured and was back sooner than either of us expected.”
“And, as we already discussed, আপনি were unable to find a job.”
“Yes, sir. And that was the first fight I ever had with my mom. She wanted to call Delaine and have him give me a job. I refused. She pleaded with me. Have আপনি ever seen your mother cry, Mr. Winters?”
“Yes,” Leon says softly.
“So then আপনি know that it is something আপনি want to stop as soon as আপনি can. I relented, for her. Because I need to take care of her. I swallowed my pride and took the job, Delaine further secured my silence, and I was pressed further under his thumb.”
“And did the threats stop, then?”
“No. He’d slip them in, casual as আপনি please, whenever he talked to me. I tried to avoid talking to him.”
“I don’t blame you,” Leon says. “I think that’s enough, don’t you, your honor?”
Judge Rodor, who has been listening like he wishes he had a bucket of popcorn, nods and looks at Aggy.
“Mr. Boudreaux?”
“I have no questions, your honor.” Aggy looks like he’s been on a steady diet of lemons and sardines.
“I thought not. Thank আপনি again, Mr. Andersen.” Rodor flips through the reports on his desk, then he glances at the clock. “All right, this has been one hell of a morning. I’m tired and I’m hungry. Recess for lunch. We will reconvene in an ঘন্টা and a half. Bedivere, please প্রদর্শনী Mr… Godwin and Mr. Caerleon where the holding cells are and put Mr. Alined in there for safekeeping.” He bangs his gavel.
xXx
Arthur, Leon, Gwen, Elyan, Merlin, and Gwaine are walking back into the courthouse after grabbing a quick bite to eat at Gwaine’s – the only place that all of them could dine together – and they are intercepted দ্বারা Aggy Boudreaux.
“Winters. Pendragon. A word, please?” He motions to a small conference room.
“Sure,” Leon nods.
“Miss Thompson also, please.”
Arthur ushers Gwen inside. Elyan looks on, a little concerned, a little forlorn.
“I’d like Elyan to come in, too,” she says.
“Of course,” Arthur says.
“We’ll just sit out here, then,” Merlin calls, smirking.
“You do that,” Arthur answers.
They all sit at a long mahogany টেবিল and stare at Aggy until he speaks.
“My client would like to settle,” he declares.
Leon passes Arthur two dollars.
“What was that?”
“I won the bet,” Arthur says. “I knew he’d cave. অথবা you. Leon thought he’d fight to the তিক্ত end.”
“Well, truth be told, Alined doesn’t exactly want to settle. But I’m not really giving him a choice.”
Arthur looks at Gwen, who looks a bit overwhelmed, squeezing her brother’s hand.
“One moment,” Arthur says to Aggy. He bends and reaches into his ব্রিফকেস and withdraws a folder. He opens it and shows the contents to Guinevere and Elyan, who read it carefully. Gwen nods and hands it back to Arthur.
“We have conditions,” Arthur passes the folder to Aggy.
Aggy takes the folder. “Of course.”
“Arthur, what…?” Leon whispers.
“I told আপনি I was confident he would settle after we exposed him.”
Aggy reads the তালিকা Arthur has presented him. “…all of it?” he finally exclaims. “Everything?”
“Well, he ain’t gonna be needin’ that money where he’s goin’,” Arthur says, leaning back in his chair. “And that includes the Swiss account that he doesn’t think we know about.”
“So we’re to liquidate all of his accounts and বিভক্ত করা the funds between the ten people on those accident reports who were injured as a result of faulty machinery, plus Ezra Johnson,” he sighs.
“And a larger portion for Miss Thompson and her brother,” Arthur adds, pointing to a line on the sheet.
“Arthur…”
“Shh,” he shushes her gently.
“Percy Andersen? আপনি sure about that?” he asks, tapping the পরবর্তি point.
“Yes. Duncan Matthews will be promoted to warehouse manager then. And Mr. Aredian has offered to recommend a couple of maintenance men to be brought on. As permanent employees.”
“Mr. Aredian isn’t interested himself?” Gwen asks.
“Oh good Lord, no,” Arthur chuckles. “That would not work out well for anyone involved. He’s much too independent.”
“Not to mention scary as hell,” Elyan chimes in.
“That, too. Leon, would আপনি check to see if Percy’s outside, please?”
Leon nods and goes to the door. He opens it and pokes his head out. A moment later he returns, Percy in tow.
“You wished to see me?”
“Yes. Alined wants to settle,” Arthur says.
“Okay…?” Percy sits at the table.
“One of the conditions we have for the settlement concerns you, Percy.”
His brow furrows a moment. “It does?”
“We’d like আপনি to take ownership of Alined Paper. আপনি can, of course, change the name to whatever you’d like,” Arthur says. He glances at Aggy, who is still perusing the sheet Arthur gave him, making notes on it now.
“Me? But I don’t know…”
“It’s not anything আপনি can’t handle, Percy. We’ve seen your records, both from school and from the Army. আপনি say you’re built for manual labor, but you’ve undersold your intelligence.” Arthur looks at him, raising his eyebrows.
“I’d be willin’ to bet he’s smarter than his dumb-ass uncle,” Aggy mutters. “Oh, beg pardon, miss.”
Gwen giggles behind her hand while the others stare at Aggy, shocked that he’d say such a thing about his longtime client.
Of course, he’s probably anxious to wash his hands of him as soon as possible, Arthur realizes.
“But I don’t know anything about running a business,” Percy says.
Leon hands him a card. “I actually specialize in business law,” he says. “I’ll help আপনি out. It’ll be real easy, I promise.”
Percy takes the card. “You are my new best friend, then,” he chuckles. “Thank you.”
Aggy turns to the সেকেন্ড page of Arthur’s file. “Today? আপনি want all these accounts liquidated and dispersed today?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Arthur says. “It’s only… 1:15. Leon will take আপনি back to the office and আপনি can meet with Geoffrey and he’ll get everything sorted. He’s got everything ready for you.”
“Well, আপনি sure got your ducks all nice and lined up, don’t you, Pendragon?” Aggy says, actually smiling a little.
“Guinevere don’t call me ‘Superman’ for nothin’, আপনি know.” Arthur leans confidently back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head.
Aggy rolls his eyes. So does Gwen.
“All right, the sooner this is over with, the sooner I can get on the golf course,” Aggy says, standing. “I’ll meet আপনি back here in ten minutes, Winters. I have to go bid farewell to Mr. Herman Delaine. Let him know that he is now the property of those two nice men from the FBI.”
After he leaves, Gwen turns to Arthur. “Arthur, we don’t need that much money!”
“Shush, Gwen,” Elyan tries, and she waves him off.
“We can have the same amount as all them other families. বিভক্ত করা it evenly between all of us.”
“Guinevere, it’s standard settlement protocol. Those others were just injured. Your father was killed. Death always warrants a bigger reward than injury.”
“He’s right, Gwen,” Leon adds. “Just how it is.”
“We could use the money, Gwen. And the others will still be gettin’ plenty, right?” Elyan asks, looking back and forth between Leon and Arthur.
“Life-changing money, most likely,” Arthur confirms. “Alined had stashes of cash squirreled away all over the place, and we found all of it. Geoffrey must have magic powers.”
“And the company funds will be untouched, so the transition will be smooth,” Leon tells Percy.
Percy nods, still apparently in shocked. “Who’s going to be warehouse manager now?” he asks.
“Duncan will,” Gwen tells him. She reaches across the টেবিল and places her hand over his. “Percy, you’ll be great. Daddy always spoke well of you. ব্যক্ত how smart আপনি were, how আপনি actually cared about what was goin’ on there. That’s the kind of person আপনি want to be the big boss.”
“Thank you, Gwen. Your father always spoke well of you, too. Both of you,” he says, nodding at Elyan now. “You need a job, Elyan?” he asks suddenly.
“Nah, I’m a carpenter, man, I don’t need to be workin’ in no factory,” Elyan chuckles.
“Thought I’d offer, since I’m suddenly now in charge of a company,” Percy says, smiling finally. “What do আপনি think of ‘Andersen Paper?’” he asks.
“I like it,” Gwen says, grinning back at him. “So what happens now?” she asks.
“Now,” Leon stands, “I’m going to wait for Mr. Agravaine Boudreaux and escort his chunky backside back to Pendragon Law. Y’all can meet me back there later and I’ll start givin’ out checks.”
“And then, tonight, we all meet up at Gwaine’s and celebrate, all proper-like,” Arthur says, standing as well. The rest follow suit and file out of the room into the hallway.
“So?” Merlin leaps on them immediately. “I’ve been dying out here.”
“He has. Irish boy could not sit still,” Gwaine confirms.
“Settling, as I predicted,” Arthur says smugly.
“You are thoroughly enjoyin’ this, Arthur,” Gwen comments, laughing.
“Of course I am. I was right. What’s not to enjoy?” he asks, his eyes twinkling at her in that way they do when he’s thinking of things that he really has no business thinking of. “Gwaine, we’re all gonna be descendin’ on your place tonight, too.”
“I would expect nothin’ less,” Gwaine nods. Then he winks at Gwen, earning him the briefest glare from Arthur. He just chuckles.
Aggy returns now, accompanied দ্বারা one of the FBI agents. “All right, let’s go.”
“Mr. Pendragon,” the agent stops as Aggy and Leon continue out the door.
“Yes?”
“Thank you. Godwin’s been on this case for nine years. He’s very happy to be able to put him away.”
“No problem. আপনি should be thanking Percy here, not me, though.”
“Ah, Mr. Andersen,” Agent Caerleon turns, looking up at him. “We’ve had cars driving past your mother’s house at regular intervals. I don’t think Delaine has any accomplices in the area, not that he would have had the opportunity to dispatch any of them if he did. Your mom is perfectly safe, son.”
“Thank you, Mr…”
“Caerleon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Caerleon.”
“Mr. Pendragon, there is a reward…” he starts.
“Give it to Percy,” Arthur উত্তর immediately.
Gwen smiles. Percy gawks. “Th-thanks…”
“You deserve it. Get your mom something nice.”
“Maybe I’ll see if she wants to সরানো down here…” he muses.
“Oh, Pendragon,” Caerleon says just as he is about to return to the holding cells below.
“Hmm?”
“Tell your father I ব্যক্ত hello.”
“You know my pop?”
“Went to Harvard together,” he nods, smiling a little mischievously, as though remembering some not-fit-for-mixed-company story.
“I’ll tell him,” Arthur says, watching the agent saunter away under puzzled brows.
xXx
“Arthur, it’s her party, she’ll be here,” Merlin mutters in Arthur’s ear as he walks past. Arthur keeps glancing at the door.
“She ব্যক্ত she was coming, but what if she changes her mind?” Arthur asks.
“You have got it bad,” Merlin comments. “She’ll be here.” He leans in closer. “And try to be a little less obvious, Arthur. Remember she’s the one that would be punished if you’re found out.”
Arthur slumps. “I know. It’s hard, though. I told her that. I don’t even realize I’m doin’ it, most of the time.”
“I just don’t want to see either of আপনি hurt অথবা in trouble with the law, mate. And she just walked in with Elyan and Latoya.”
“Latoya?” Arthur turns.
“Elyan’s new ladyfriend. They’ve been talkin’ to each other for a little while now, looks like he finally decided to introduce her to Gwen.”
“Ah. Guinevere,” he says, smiling at her as she approaches.
“See? Like that. আপনি could light up a bloody room right now.” He looks at Gwen now. “Hi, Gwen.”
“Hey, Merlin. Hello, Arthur,” she says.
“I gotta go play,” Merlin says, waving. “She’s just as bad,” he mumbles to himself as he wanders away.
“Hey Elyan,” Arthur says.
“Arthur,” Elyan nods. “This is my girl, Latoya,” he introduces the young lady at his side. She is tall, nearly as tall as Elyan.
“Nice to meet you, Latoya,” Arthur offers his hand.
After a moment, she takes it, shaking it quickly. “Hello,” she says. “Sorry, I’m not used to pretty white men wantin’ to shake my hand.”
“Quite all right,” Arthur says. “I’m a little unusual.”
“I’ll say,” Gwaine says, setting a tall glass of সরবৎ on the bar for Gwen and a bottle of Budweiser for Elyan. “Toya, what would আপনি like, darlin’?”
“I’ll have one o’ them bottles,” she says, nodding towards Elyan’s beer.
Gwaine nabs Elyan’s bottle before Elyan can get it and passes it to her, setting a glass beside it as well. “Here আপনি are. Elyan, ladies first, আপনি know that.” He returns a moment later with another bottle for him.
“Let’s get a table,” Arthur says, hopping down from his barstool.
Percy arrives a short time later, followed closely দ্বারা Duncan and his wife, Mary. Gwen hugs them both warmly, and Mary immediately starts crying.
“Now, Mary, don’t আপনি cry, অথবা I’ll start,” Gwen says, patting her hand.
“Thank আপনি so much, Gwen,” Mary says.
“I didn’t do nothin’, Mary. It’s me that should be thankin’ Duncan.” With that, she leans over and kisses Duncan on the cheek. “Thank you, Duncan. I know you’ll be a great manager.”
“Thanks, Gwen. You’re Daddy’s smilin’ down on আপনি today.”
Ezra stops in briefly, but doesn’t stay long. Arthur makes sure that he has the psychiatrist’s phone number and reminds him to call right away on Monday. Duncan even offers to let him use the warehouse office phone to call.
“If that’s all right with you, Boss,” he looks at Percy.
“Perfectly fine. We want Ezra better, right?” Percy answers.
They listen to Merlin, Aaron, and ফ্রেড play. Gwaine brings out tray after tray of food. Some people dance. Percy taps his fingers on the টেবিল in time to the music.
“Is it hard? Not havin’ part of a leg?” Gwen asks him.
“I’m used to it now,” he shrugs.
“Wishin’ আপনি could dance, though?”
He laughs. “I couldn’t much dance with two whole legs. But I like music.”
Arthur has been chatting with everyone, but always keeping one eye on Gwen. He scoots his chair back over to their table. “Bet আপনি can hop pretty good,” he says, grinning.
“Arthur!” Gwen gasps, shocked.
Percy laughs though. “I am a world-champion hopper,” he says. “It’s all right, Gwen, I honestly wish আরো people would ask প্রশ্ন and even make jokes like Arthur just did. Beats getting stared at. I get that enough, being my size.”
“I suppose আপনি have a point. I suppose আপনি get people judgin’ আপনি based on your looks, same as we do.”
“Yeah. Everyone always assumes I’m stupid অথবা violent.”
“And you’re neither of those,” Arthur adds.
“Thank you. Like I said, I like music. Can’t sing, can’t play an instrument, but I like it. And I am bound and determined to learn how to make a proper southern বিসকুট if it kills me,” he laughs.
“Well, I can help আপনি out with that,” Gwen says. “I’ll share my granny’s recipe with you, if আপনি ask real nice,” she leans in and says in a conspiratorial whisper.
“What are y’all whisperin’ about?” Elyan asks, coming over with Latoya on his arm.
“Biscuits,” Gwen declares.
“Of course,” Elyan shrugs. “Gwen,” he pokes his sister on the shoulder, “you should go sing.”
“What?” Gwen asks.
“Sing?” Arthur asks.
“Gwen can sho’nuff sing,” Elyan says.
“You’ve had too many beers already, Elyan,” Gwen shrugs him off.
“I’d প্রণয় to hear আপনি sing,” Arthur says quietly, smiling at her.
“See? Even Mr. Charlie wants to hear আপনি sing!” Elyan exclaims.
“Elyan!” Both Gwen and Latoya yell now, but Arthur can only laugh.
“Please?” Elyan asks. “For Daddy?”
“Please?” Arthur asks quietly. “For me?”
“Well, shoot, now আপনি done trapped me,” Gwen sighs and gets up. “Don’t start throwin’ fruit, now,” she threatens before she walks away from them, up to the corner that acts as a stage.
“Hey, Gwen,” Merlin says, looking up briefly from the piano, not missing a note.
“I’m supposed to come sing with y’all,” she says. She waves at Aaron and Fred, who both nod.
“Next song. Think about what আপনি want to sing.”
“I only know church songs,” she says, biting her lip.
“We can work with that,” Merlin says.
“Merlin’s got some ears on him, and I ain’t just talkin’ ’bout they size,” ফ্রেড says.
Merlin laughs, and Gwen hides her smile, looking away from him.
“Okay,” Merlin declares when the song finishes. “What do আপনি have for me?”
“Do আপনি know ‘Ain’t-a That Good News?’”
“I do,” Aaron and ফ্রেড both answer.
“Well I know y’all know it,” Gwen says, her hands on her hips. “We just sang it yesterday, that’s why it’s fresh in my mind.”
“Start singin’, Gwen, I’ll catch on. Gospel?”
“O’ course,” she says. Then she sighs and turns toward the rest of the bar. They’re all looking. Just pretend it’s a really dirty church.
“Waitin’, Gwen…” Aaron cajoles from behind her.
“Hush, you!” she turns and waves her hand at him. When she looks back, her eyes meet Arthur’s for a moment, and his expectant look both scares her and gives her confidence. All right, Superman, here goes.
“I got a crown up in-a that kingdom, ain’t-a that good news…” she starts singing, slowly at first. ফ্রেড joins in first, then Aaron with a light drum beat. After the first verse is half done, Merlin’s got it and he joins in.
“Daddy used to say that Gwen’s singin’ could make the birds hang they heads in shame,” Elyan says to Arthur.
Arthur just nods in agreement, watching her sing. Don’t be so obvious. Merlin’s উপদেশ comes back to him. “She has a very good voice, yes,” he finally says. She sounds like an angel.
She finishes, and everyone applauds and cheers loudly.
“More!” Elyan shouts.
Gwen rolls her eyes at her brother and starts to go back to her seat. “Get back here, Gwen,” Merlin grabs her arm, grinning at her. “You heard your brother, he wants one more.”
“Fine,” she sighs. “I thought of another one. ‘You Belong to Me’ work for you?”
“Ooo, a newer one,” Merlin says, cracking his knuckles theatrically, then launches into an introduction.
I thought of another one looking at Arthur, Gwen realizes. She closes her eyes a moment to try and clear her head. I hope I can remember the words.
“See the pyramids along the Nile. Watch the sunrise from a tropic isle. Just remember, darling, all the while আপনি belong to me…”
She opens her eyes and braves a look at Arthur. Not a good idea, she realizes, and quickly drops her eyes and concentrates on গান গাওয়া instead.
“You have a beautiful voice, Guinevere,” Arthur says when she finally returns. He is alone at the টেবিল for the moment.
“Thank you,” she says, reaching for her lemonade.
“It goes with the rest—”
“Don’t.”
“Right.”
“It’s getting late,” she says. “I’d like to go to work tomorrow, but I have too much to do now.”
“Got a big check to deposit,” Arthur says.
“And one to write. I have to pay আপনি still.”
“You’ll get a bill later, আপনি don’t have to pay right now,” Arthur says, waving his hand dismissively. “If it was up to me I still wouldn’t charge you, but I think Pop might frown on that.”
“So would I,” she says. “Thank you, Arthur.” She puts her hand on his, just briefly, and moves to stand. She looks around for Elyan. “Where is he? Ah. Elyan!”
He comes over. “What?”
“I’m ready to go home.”
“I ain’t.”
“Well, take me প্রথমপাতা and then আপনি can come back.” She peers at him. “On সেকেন্ড thought, give me the car keys. আপনি ain’t fit to drive.”
“How’m I gon’ get home?” he asks.
“You can walk. Keys.” Gwen holds out her hand and Elyan fishes into his pocket and hands them to her. “Toya, keep an eye on him,” she tells Latoya.
“I will. Goodnight, Gwen,” Latoya says.
Gwen says her goodbyes around, and when she gets to the door, Arthur is waiting for her.
“Arthur…”
“I’m just going to walk আপনি to your car,” he says.
“All right.”
He opens the door for her and they walk out into the cool October night, walking silently until they reach the large green Impala.
“Thank আপনি again, Arthur, for everything,” she says. Why is my হৃদয় pounding like this? I should be happy because we won, but I feel so forlorn. Now that I have no reason to, I may never see him again.
“It was a pleasure. আপনি are very welcome, Guinevere.” He pauses a moment. “I told আপনি that this is what I do.”
“Yes, Superman, আপনি did.”
Arthur’s arms remember the shape of her, how she felt wrapped in his embrace. They long to reach out for her and pull her against him.
“Goodnight, Guinevere. It really was a pleasure,” Arthur finally says.
Gwen sees his fingers twitching at his sides. She looks up and down the street. A car drives past, but it turns the corner, and they are left alone. She bites her lower lip and takes a step closer to him. One hug. That’s all. As she reaches out with one hand, he finally breaks and pulls her into his arms, sighing heavily.
Gwen hugs him back this time, her hands on his broad back. She thinks she feels him চুম্বন the শীর্ষ of her head, but she’s not sure.
“Okay,” she says, gently stepping back now. “Goodnight,” she says and then hurries around to the driver’s side of the car, gets in, and drives away while he stands there, watching her go.
Part 12: link
